Asperger's Awareness

What is the college's obligation to students with disabilities?

By law, and by policy, the college is committed to provide equal access for all qualified
individuals to its programs and educational opportunities. The need for physical access
(elevators, ramps, etc.) is obvious to most of us, but access needs also include the
curriculum itself and measures of evaluation. Academic adjustments may include special
seating, testing accommodations, use of adaptive technology, or presentation of course
materials in alternate formats. The college has designated Gabriella Vasta, Coordinator
of Access and Equity Services, to identify appropriate academic adjustments and to
coordinate the provision of these services.

What is my obligation as an instructor?

You are an agent of the college and as such share the college's obligations to provide
access within your classroom and curriculum. Your course outline should include the
following disability statements:

It is the college's policy to provide, on an individual basis, equitable academic
adjustments to students with disabilities, which may affect their ability to fully
participate in program or course activities or to meet course requirements. This material
is available in alternative formats upon request.

What should I do if a student identifies him/herself to me as a person with a disability?

Ask the student if he or she has been in contact with Gabriella Vasta, Coordinator
of Access and Equity Services and/or the Resnick Academic Achievement Center. If not,
refer the student. You should not personally collect and/or maintain any disability
documentation, nor should you make a determination as to the existence of a disability
or the reasonableness of a request without consultation. Unless you are willing to
provide a requested modification to all students, you should not provide it to any
student without having first received an access memo from the Coordinator.

What is the procedure for students receiving academic adjustments?

The student must provide the Coordinator of Access and Equity Services appropriate
documentation identifying the disability and the limitations relating to learning.
An access plan is then developed between the student and the Coordinator. Appropriate
classroom, testing and other academic adjustments are identified on a written Memorandum
of Academic Adjustments, which the student sends to each faculty member from whom
he or she is requesting academic adjustments. For online instruction it is also the
students responsibility to send each faculty member from whom he or she is requesting
academic adjustments. Students are also responsible for copying the Access and Equity
Office on the email they send to faculty.

You are entitled to reasonable notice of any requested academic adjustment. We encourage
you and the student to discuss the particulars of the request.

Recognizing the importance of allowing students with disabilities equal access to
professors during the testing process, we recommend testing in class, wherever possible.
Students needing only extended time and a distraction-reduced environment can be permitted to take their tests in the classroom and faculty can provide the adjustment.

If this is not possible, or if additional academic adjustments are required (use of
a reader, scribe or computer), the student must follow the policy and procedure guidelines
by submitting an Accommodated Testing Notification at least 3 days in advance. The Instructions for Accommodated Testing Form must be
attached to the exam and delivered to the Testing Center. Please be aware that the
student is responsible for arranging exam testing with you and the testing center.

As a professor you are responsible for providing students with the required reading
material well in advance of the start of class, a time period that students with disabilities
may need so they can get materials in the proper format. Faculty who knowingly and
without good cause fail to submit textbook adoptions seven weeks before the start
of class will be held responsible for any complaint regarding inaccessible products
and services.

A recent case at the University of California at Berkeley resulted in an 18 page out-of-court
settlement based upon inaccessible library materials.

What is the faculty procedure for testing modifications on campus?

Test will be administered during Testing Hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A student might need
to take a test at a different time than the class to accommodate their extended time.

Student Test Request

Receive a confirmation email stating the information submitted on the Accommodated Testing Request from the Access and Equity Office 72 hours, (3 working days) prior to the test date.
*Please do not submit a test if you don't get this request.

Directions for Delivering Tests

The following information is provided for SUNY Delhi faculty who participate in accommodated
student testing in the Resnick Academic Achievement Center.

Student Delivery Method Students may pick up the test from their instructor. It should be placed in a sealed
envelope with the instructor's signature across the seal. The instructor will be notified
if the seal has been broken. The Instructions for Accommodated Testing form should
be attached to each test.

Delivery via email attachment An electronic option is to send the test as a .doc, pdf, or .rtf file attachment
to test@delhi.edu. The test and Instructions for Accommodated Testing form should
be sent 48 hours prior to the test date. If delivered in an accessible format the Testing Center will
accept the test 24 hours prior to the test date

Returning the Test Faculty may pick up completed tests in the Resnick Academic Achievement Center, have
them returned via inter-campus mail, or returned electronically (email) as specified
on the Instructions for Accommodated Testing Form.

International Students Testing Information Students whose primary residence in not the US and primary language is not English
may also be accommodated for extended-time testing. Approval would be granted through
the International Student Advisor, Claire Hawthorne, Bush Hall Room 168, 607-746-4743,hawthocm@delhi.edu.

What do I need to know about pop quizzes?

Administering Pop Quizzes to Students with Disabilities

Allow the student additional time after class to complete the quiz.

Administer the pop quiz at the end of the class.

If the test has four questions and you allow the class ten minutes to take the quiz,
grade the student on two questions or three questions, depending upon whether the
student is entitled to time and a half or double time.

Allow the student to take the quiz in a previously agreed upon location near the classroom.
The student would return to class after the extended test time.

If none of the above options are feasible, another possibility would be for the student
to take the pop quiz without extended test time, but the instructor would not count
the grade for or against the student.

For those professors who want to give pop quizzes but who do not want to use extended
time from class to give the quizzes, a few ideas are offered below:

Give quizzes at the end of class and allow the student to stay later if the student
does not have a schedule conflict or, if they have a scheduled break (in longer classes)
they could try giving the quiz before the break and those who need more time (disability
and not) could work into the break.

Ask student to come to office for an oral pop quiz as soon after class as possible.

Consider why pop quizzes are used and the purpose of them and then create a different
method to reach the same purpose.

Examples include:

Hand out questions at end of class to be turned in prior to the next class

Send "pop quiz" questions by email 12 hours prior to class and ask the students to
have the questions complete by the beginning of class

Put questions on a website or on Blackboard for students to get and answer at some
point before the next class.

Distribute questions during class and have small group discuss.

What is the faculty procedure for testing accommodations online?

You are required to provide the student who presents you with an access plan their
extended time in the online environment. (This does not mean unlimited time. Their
plan will advise you of the required time extension)

What if the requested academic adjustment conflicts with my course structure and/or
policies?

You may have to make an adjustment in your structure or policies, if not doing so
will discriminate against the student because of the disability. However, while the
need for academic adjustment in a particular case is not negotiable, there are often
alternate ways to provide the accommodation. Academic adjustment must be sensitive
to the fundamental structure and objectives of your course. If you believe that a
requested adjustment will so alter your course, immediately consult with the Coordinator
of Access and Equity Services. What constitutes a reasonable request in one course,
or even section of a course, may not be reasonable in another.

Feel free in all cases to discuss methods of accommodation with the student and with
the Coordinator.

The college has hired you for your expertise in your field and in the classroom. We
do not expect you to have expertise in the field of disability and postsecondary education.
Let us help you create the best possible learning environment for both you and your
students.

Faculty Tip Sheet

Suggestions:

Assist students in following the university's policies, such as possible requirements
that all requests for academic adjustment be referred to the Access and Equity Office
and not be handled by individual faculty members alone. This protects students, faculty,
and the institution by ensuring consistency and takes the responsibility off individual
faculty members, to determine whether an academic adjustment is appropriate or how
to provide it. Violations have been found in cases where faculty members have not
followed institutional policies.

Ask questions if you don't understand something or are not sure how to proceed-your
Access and Equity Office can be very helpful in this regard.

Respect the privacy of students with disabilities. They need not disclose their disability
to fellow students. While they must disclose disability to a designated official at
your college in order to access academic adjustments, this does not require disclosure
to everyone. Treat disability information which has been disclosed to you as confidential.

Treat students with disabilities with the same courtesies you would afford to other
students.

Hold up your end with regard to academic adjustments which have been determined to
be appropriate.

Provide the academic adjustment which has been approved by the institution's designee.
(Access and Equity Coordinator) Not providing may subject your institution or yourself
to liability.

Provide extended time for tests, for those who have access plans. Be careful because
if you start providing for those who do not have access plans with our office you
are setting past precedence and might have to provide for all.

Help students secure a note taker if stated on their access plan. This may include
class members to volunteering to take notes, or you providing your class materials.

Allow students to record lectures if it's stated on their access plan.

Provide copies of exams in the required time frame to the Access and Equity Office
in order for a student to take the examination under alternate circumstances, such
as extended time, using a scribe or braille, etc.